| Harlem Heat | |
|---|---|
.jpg)  Booker T (left) and Stevie Ray (right) | |
| Tag team | |
| Members | Booker T/Kole Stevie Ray/Kane |
| Name(s) | Harlem Heat[1] The Huffman Brothers[1] The Ebony Experience[1] The Ghetto Blasters[2] The Black Bombers[3] Harlem Heat 2000[1] |
| Billed heights | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) – Booker T 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) – Stevie Ray |
| Combined billed weight | 545 lb (247 kg; 38.9 st) |
| Hometown | Houston, Texas |
| Billed from | 110th Street inHarlem, New York |
| Former member(s) | Midnight Sister Sherri Jacquelyn |
| Debut | 1989 |
| Disbanded | 2015 |
| Years active | 1989–2000; 2015 |
| Trained by | Scott Casey Ivan Putski |
Harlem Heat was aprofessional wrestlingtag team composed of two brothers,Booker andLash Huffman (better known as Booker T and Stevie Ray). The team achieved their greatest success inWorld Championship Wrestling (WCW), where they won theWCW World Tag Team Championship a recordten times.[4] Kevin Powers ofWWE remarked: "When debating the greatest tag team in WCW history, Harlem Heat andThe Steiner Brothers are more or less interchangeable."[5]
Harlem Heat was inducted into theWWE Hall of Fame on April 6, 2019, as part of the2019 class.[6]
Booker T and Stevie Ray started to team together as The Huffman Brothers inIvan Putski's Western Wrestling Alliance after a brief feud with each other. Soon after, the WWA ceased operating and the brothers started touring the Texasindependent circuit.
The Huffman Brothers caught the eye ofSkandor Akbar who was involved with theGlobal Wrestling Federation out ofDallas in 1992.[7] The brothers were repackaged as the "Ebony Experience" and quickly rose through the ranks of the GWF tag team division under the guidance ofGary Hart, defeating Skandor Akbar's "Goodfellows" ("Gorgeous" Gary Young and Steve Dane) for theGWF Tag Team Championship on July 31, 1992.[8] Their first run with the GWF tag title lasted only a week before they were defeated by the Blackbirds (”Iceman” King Parsons and Action Jackson). Booker and Stevie Ray made a comeback and defeated the cheating birds in September.
The second run with the title lasted a bit longer than a week, but was ultimately short lived as the Rough Riders (Black Bart and Johnny Mantell) won the gold on October 23. The title loss was forced due to Booker T suffering a knee injury that needed surgery and time off to recover.[8] In early 1993 the Ebony Experience returned to action and started to chasethe Bad Breed (Axl Rotten andIan Rotten) who had won the titles while Booker T recovered. On February 26 the Ebony Experience won their third GWF Tag Team championship, becoming the only team to hold that title three times.[8] Their third run with the title proved to be their longest as they held them until May 7 where Guido Falcone and Vito Mussolini (known as the Sicilian Stallions) defeated them for the titles. Not long after this Booker T and Stevie Ray left the GWF, having signed withWorld Championship Wrestling (WCW).[9]
On June 22, 1993, the brothers debuted in WCW as the tag team Harlem Heat, with Booker renamed Kole and Lash renamed Kane. They were then billed from Harlem. Originally, they were supposed to be a pair of prisoners won in a card game by managerCol. Rob Parker, but was changed due to racial sensitivity based on their look, coming out to the ring in wrist and foot shackles.[2][10] Harlem Heat debuted on WCW television by defeatinglocal wrestlers Dave Hart and Mike Thor on the August 14 episode ofWorldWide.[11] On the August 21 episode ofSaturday Night, Harlem Heat becamevillains by teaming withSid Vicious to defeatRon Simmons,2 Cold Scorpio andMarcus Alexander Bagwell in a six-man tag team match.[12] Harlem Heat made theirpay-per-view debut atFall Brawl on September 19 by teaming withVader and Sid Vicious againstSting,Davey Boy Smith,Dustin Rhodes, andThe Shockmaster in theWarGames match.[13][14] They lost the match but were over as villains because of the caliber offan favorites they wrestled.
Harlem Heat suffered their first televised loss in WCW against Sting andDustin Rhodes on the September 25 episode ofSaturday Night.[15] Shortly after, Harlem Heat ended their association with Col. Robert Parker. The following month, atHalloween Havoc, Harlem Heat teamed withThe Equalizer against The Shockmaster,Ice Train andCharlie Norris in a losing effort.[16] AtBattlebowl, Kane was randomly partnered with Charlie Norris in a Lethal Lottery qualifying match against Big Van Vader andCactus Jack in a losing effort. Kane was paired with Davey Boy Smith againstRoad Warrior Hawk andRip Rogers in a losing effort.[17]
AtSuperBrawl IV on February 20, 1994, Harlem Heat defeated Thunder andLightning.[18] Shortly after, Harlem Heat engaged in a feud with Marcus Alexander Bagwell and 2 Cold Scorpio which led to the two teams exchanging wins with one another. Harlem Heat were soon joined by Ron Simmons while Ice Train joined Bagwell and Scorpio. Both teams traded wins in six-man tag team matches.[19] In July, Kole and Kane changed their names back to Booker T and Stevie Ray.[20]
AtClash of the Champions XXIX,Sensuous Sherri joined Harlem Heat as theirmanager by helping them in defeatingThe Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs andJerry Sags).[21] On the December 3 episode ofWorldWide, Harlem Heat renamed her Sister Sherri.[20] The alliance with Sherri led to Harlem Heat being elevated in the tag team division. Harlem Heat faced Nasty Boys in a rematch atStarrcade, which Harlem Heat lost via disqualification.[22]
On December 8, Harlem Heat defeatedStars and Stripes (The Patriot andMarcus Alexander Bagwell) to win their firstWCW World Tag Team Championship, which aired on the January 14, 1995 episode ofSaturday Night.[23] Harlem Heat retained the titles against Stars and Stripes in a rematch atClash of the Champions XXX.[24] They continued their feud with the Nasty Boys, leading to a title defense against Nasty Boys atSuperBrawl V. Harlem Heat retained the titles via a disqualification win.[25] AtUncensored, Harlem Heat lost to Nasty Boys in a non-titlefalls count anywhere match.[26] Harlem Heat finally lost the titles to Nasty Boys atSlamboree.[27]
Harlem Heat became tweeners and entered a feud with Col. Parker'sStud Stable of"Dirty" Dick Slater andBunkhouse Buck. Harlem Heat defeated the team of Slater and Buck atThe Great American Bash.[28] On the June 24 episode ofWorldWide, Harlem Heat defeated Nasty Boys to win their second World Tag Team Championship after interference byThe Blue Bloods (Lord Steven Regal andEarl Robert Eaton).[29] The title win was taped on May 3. AtBash at the Beach, Harlem Heat retained the titles against Nasty Boys and Blue Bloods in a triangle match.[30] Harlem Heat lost the tag team titles to Slater and Buck on the July 22 episode ofSaturday Night, thanks to interference from Parker. AtClash of the Champions XXXI, Harlem Heat and Sherri defeated Slater, Buck and Parker in a six-person tag team match.[31] As a result, Harlem Heat earned a tag team title shot against Slater and Buck atFall Brawl. Harlem Heat defeated Slater and Buck with help from Nasty Boys to win their third World Tag Team Championship.[32][33] Parker and Sherri were carrying on a love affair and Parker eventually left the Stud Stable in favor of the Heat to be with Sherri.
Just one night later, onMonday Nitro, Harlem Heat lost the tag team titles toThe American Males (Marcus Alexander Bagwell andScotty Riggs).[34] On the October 28 episode ofSaturday Night, Harlem Heat defeated American Males to win their fourth World Tag Team Championship.[35] This title change was taped on October 11. Harlem Heat lost the titles toLex Luger and Sting on the January 22, 1996 episode ofNitro.[36] Harlem Heat unsuccessfully challenged Luger and Sting for the titles atSuperBrawl VI.[37] AtUncensored, Booker T teamed with Sting to defeatThe Road Warriors (Hawk andAnimal) in a street fight to earn Harlem Heat, a title shot against Luger and Sting on the April 22 episode ofNitro,[38] which Harlem Heat lost.[39] On the June 24 episode ofNitro, Harlem Heat defeated Luger and Sting andSteiner Brothers (Rick andScott) in a triangle match to win their fifth World Tag Team Championship.[40]
Harlem Heat lost the tag team titles to Steiner Brothers at alive event on July 24. However, just three days later on July 27, Harlem Heat defeated Steiner Brothers to win their sixth World Tag Team Championship.[41] Harlem Heat successfully defended the titles against Steiner Brothers atHog Wild.[42] AtClash of the Champions XXXIII, Harlem Heat retained the titles against Steiner Brothers and the team ofSting and Lex Luger in a triangle match as the match ended in a no contest when the referee Nick Patrick abruptly ended the match due toThe Outsiders (Kevin Nash andScott Hall) just appearing at ringside.[43] AtFall Brawl, Harlem Heat successfully defended the titles against Nasty Boys.[44]
On the September 23 episode ofNitro, Harlem Heat lost the titles toPublic Enemy (Rocco Rock andJohnny Grunge).[45] On the October 5 episode ofSaturday Night, Harlem Heat defeated Public Enemy in a rematch to win their seventh World Tag Team Championship.[46] This match was taped on October 1. Harlem Heat lost the titles to The Outsiders atHalloween Havoc.[47][48]
On the November 9 episode ofSaturday Night, Harlem Heat became full-fledged faces when they fired Col. Robert Parker and beat him up to rescue Sister Sherri.[49] They briefly feuded against Parker's newest teamThe Amazing French Canadians, defeating them in a match atWorld War 3.[50][51] AtClash of the Champions XXXIV on January 21, 1997, Harlem Heat defeated the team ofThe Renegade andJoe Gomez.[52]
Soon after, Harlem Heat took on The Public Enemy andThe Faces of Fear (Meng andThe Barbarian) in a three-way dance atSuperBrawl VII, which Public Enemy won.[53] The following month, atUncensored, Harlem Heat defeated Public Enemy in aTexas Tornado match.[54] AtSpring Stampede, both members of Harlem Heat competed in a four corners match for aWCW World Heavyweight Championship title match. Lex Luger won the match.[55]
Shortly after, Harlem Heat got involved in a feud with the Steiner Brothers over contention for the World Tag Team Championship, leading to a match between the two teams atThe Great American Bash, which Harlem Heat won by disqualification afterNew World Order (nWo) memberVincent interfered by attacking them.[56] On the July 7 episode ofNitro, they fired Sherri after her interference backfired, costing them a match against Public Enemy.[57] Vincent's repeated interferences in matches resulted in Harlem Heat beginning a feud with nWo'sVicious and Delicious (Buff Bagwell andScott Norton), leading to a match between the two teams atRoad Wild. During this match, Harlem Heat addedJacqueline as their new manager, who helped them in defeating Vicious and Delicious.[58] After that, Harlem Heat resumed their feud with the Steiner Brothers, losing to them atFall Brawl.[59]
By the end of 1997, Booker began transitioning into the singles competition as he won theWorld Television Championship, while continuing to team with Ray as well.[60] However, in 1998, Harlem Heat quietly disbanded. Harlem Heat reunited once on the June 15 episode ofNitro, where they unsuccessfully challenged Sting and Kevin Nash for the World Tag Team Championship.[61] During this time, Stevie began attackingChris Benoit on several occasions, against whom Booker had recently competed in a best-of-seven series to determine the #1 contendership for the World Television Championship.[62] This led to Harlem Heat reuniting once more on the June 29 episode ofNitro, where they lost to Benoit andSteve McMichael.[63]
On the July 13 episode ofNitro, Ray claimed the World Television Championship and began defending it by saying that Booker gave him the power of attorney to defend the title as Booker got injured due to being attacked byBret Hart, the previous night atBash at the Beach.[64] Soon after, Ray joined the nWo. Despite being on opposite sides they managed to peacefully co-exist (despite Booker expressing dismay at Stevie for joining the nWo).
In the summer of 1999, Booker began feuding withThe Jersey Triad. On the July 29 episode ofThunder, the Jersey Triad triple-teamed Booker during his match against the Triad memberBam Bam Bigelow until Stevie made the save. After the match, Booker convinced Stevie to tear up the nWo shirt and reform Harlem Heat.[65] On the August 2 episode ofNitro, Harlem Heat competed in its first match as a team in over a year as the duo defeated Bigelow andKanyon, with assistance from Chris Benoit.[66] This led to Harlem Heat challenging Bigelow and Kanyon for the World Tag Team Championship atRoad Wild. Harlem Heat won the match to begin their record-setting eighth tag team title reign.[67][68]
Harlem Heat lost the titles toBarry andKendall Windham on the August 23 episode ofNitro.[69] The following month, atFall Brawl, Harlem Heat defeated the Windhams in a rematch to win their ninth World Tag Team Championship and retained the titles against Windhams on the September 27 episode ofNitro.[70][71][72]
On the October 18 episode ofNitro, Harlem Heat lost the tag team titles toThe Filthy Animals membersKonnan andRey Mysterio Jr.[73] However, six days later, atHalloween Havoc, Misterio was stripped off the title due to injury and the vacant title was put up in athree-way dance pitting Harlem Heat against Filthy Animals' Konnan andKidman andThe First Family (Hugh Morrus andBrian Knobs). Harlem Heat defeated the two teams to win their record-setting tenth and final World Tag Team Championship.[74] However, Harlem Heat lost the titles to Konnan and Kidman, the following night onNitro.[70][75]
| Harlem Heat 2000 | |
|---|---|
| Stable | |
| Members | Stevie Ray (leader) Big T Cassius J. Biggs (manager) |
| Name(s) | Harlem Heat 2000 Harlem Heat Inc. |
| Debut | January 16, 2000 |
| Disbanded | June 23, 2000 |
| Years active | 2000 |
On the November 1 episode ofNitro,Creative Control (Gerald and Patrick) arrived in WCW and cost Stevie Ray, his match against Buff Bagwell in the tournament for the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship by attacking Bagwell causing Ray to get disqualified. However, Booker T rescued Ray from Creative Control. Later that night, Creative Control interfered in Booker's tournament match againstJeff Jarrett, allowing Jarrett to win.[76] The following week, onNitro, Ray was suspended by "Powers That Be". Booker challenged Jarrett and Creative Control to ahandicapHarlem Street Fight, which ended in a no contest after a female bodybuilder namedMidnight made her WCW debut to rescue Booker.[77] Midnight would rescue Booker again from Jarrett and Creative Control, after they cost him, his match against Scott Hall atMayhem. She subsequently joined Harlem Heat.[78]
Stevie returned from suspension on the November 29 episode ofNitro to rescue Midnight from an assault byCurt Hennig.[79] Dissension within the team began over Midnight on the December 13 episode ofNitro, where Harlem Heat competed againstThe Revolution (Dean Malenko,Perry Saturn andAsya) in a handicap match, which they lost when Booker tended to an injured Midnight while ignoring Ray, leaving him to get pinned by Malenko.[80] Booker liked the addition of Midnight while Stevie neglected her help and started arguing with Booker. This difference within the group would cause Harlem Heat and Midnight to lose a six-person tag team match to Curt Hennig and Creative Control atStarrcade.[81]
On the December 27 episode ofNitro, Harlem Heat lost a match toLash LeRoux and Midnight in a Lethal Lottery tournament for the vacant World Tag Team Championship, after Ray grew tired of Booker's affection towards Midnight and deliveredSlapjacks to Booker, LeRoux and Midnight and walked out on the match.[82] Ray eventually challenged Midnight to a match on the January 6, 2000 episode ofThunder that would decide whether she would stay with Harlem Heat. After being defeated with a surprisesmall package, Stevie Ray turned on both Booker T and Midnight by attacking both of them.[83]
AtSouled Out, a match took place between Booker and Stevie, which ended in a disqualification whenBig T made his WCW debut and attacked Booker.[84] Stevie would form the new Harlem Heat with Big T and begin feuding with Booker and Midnight. Ray and Big T referred their new team asHarlem Heat 2000. On the January 31 episode ofNitro, Harlem Heat acquiredJ. Biggs as their manager, who prevented Booker from using the "Rap Sheet" entrance music and "T" in his name.[85] AtSuperBrawl 2000, Booker lost the rights to the Harlem Heat name, the "Rap Sheet" and the "T" surname after being pinned by Big T after a distraction byCassius (formerly known as 4x4 fromThe No Limit Soldiers).[86] From then on, Booker T would simply be referred to as "Booker" and began using a cartoonish theme called "The Woodchuck's Game" before eventually returning to his old moniker of G.I. Bro as the leader ofMisfits in Action.[87]
Stevie Ray subsequently formed Harlem Heat, Inc. with Big T, J. Biggs and Kash. Harlem Heat 2000 continued to feud with Booker as they lost to Booker and Kidman atUncensored.[88][89] Harlem Heat 2000 did not find much success as they lost most of their matches including the semifinal match in the tournament for the vacant World Tag Team Championship against the eventual tournament winnersShane Douglas and Buff Bagwell atSpring Stampede and a handicap match againstTerry Funk for theHardcore Championship on the May 10 episode ofThunder.[90][91] The team ultimately disbanded in June 2000 when Big T was released by WCW. This would result in Booker getting the "Rap Sheet" theme song and "T" name back.
The original Harlem Heat duo of Booker T and Stevie Ray had one final reunion in WCW on the July 19 episode ofThunder where they defeated Jeff Jarrett and Rick Steiner in a tag team match.[92] This marked their final time teaming in WCW before the promotion closed.
On February 21, 2015, Booker T and Stevie Ray reunited as Harlem Heat for one last match at Booker T's promotion,Reality of Wrestling's The Final Heat event, where they defeated The New Heavenly Bodies for the ROW Tag Team Championship.[93] The titles were vacated a month later without them ever defending them.
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